Hydrangea plant named ‘SCHROLL130-12-01a’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea  plant named ‘ SCHROLL130-12-01a’, characterized by its upright and mounded plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit and moderately strong stems; dark green-colored leaves; large mophead-type inflorescences with white-colored sterile flowers that are initially pale yellow green in color; long flowering period; and good postproduction quality and longevity.

Botanical designation: Hydrangea macrophylla.

Cultivar denomination: ‘SCHROLL130-12-01a’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofHydrangea plant, botanically known as Hydrangea macrophylla andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘SCHROLL130-12-01a’.

The new Hydrangea plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Aarslev, Denmark. The objective of thebreeding program was to develop new container-type Hydrangea plants withstrong stems, early flowering response and attractive leaf and flowercoloration.

The new Hydrangea plant originated from a cross-pollination during thespring of 2012 of a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophyllaidentified as code number 11-00, not patented, as the female, or seed,parent with a proprietary selection of Hydrangea macrophylla identifiedas code number 27-00, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. Thenew Hydrangea plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor inFebruary, 2014 as a flowering plant from within the progeny of thestated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment inAarslev, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by softwood cuttings inAarslev, Denmark since the spring of 2015 has shown that the uniquefeatures of this new Hydrangea plant are stable and reproduced true totype in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Hydrangea have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘SCHROLL130-12-01a’. Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘SCHROLL130-12-01a’ as a newand distinct Hydrangea plant:

-   -   1. Upright and mounded plant habit.    -   2. Vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Freely branching habit and moderately strong stems.    -   4. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   5. Large mophead-type inflorescences with white-colored sterile        flowers that are initially pale yellow green in color.    -   6. Long flowering period.    -   7. Good postproduction quality and longevity.

Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the femaleselection parent in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea have larger and denser        inflorescences than plants of the female parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more freely flowering than        plants of the female parent selection.    -   3. Inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea are mophead        types whereas inflorescences of plants of the female parent        selection are lacecap types.    -   4. Plants of the new Hydrangea and the female parent selection        differ in sterile flower color as sterile flowers of plants of        the new Hydrangea are white in color whereas sterile flowers of        plants of the female parent selection are dark pink in color.    -   5. Inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea are longer        lasting than inflorescences of plants of the female parent        selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of the maleselection parent in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more compact than and not as        vigorous as plants of the male parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more freely flowering than        plants of the male parent selection.    -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea and the male parent selection        differ in sterile flower color as sterile flowers of plants of        the new Hydrangea are white in color whereas sterile flowers of        plants of the male parent selection are pink in color.    -   4. Sterile flowers of plants of the new Hydrangea are single        types whereas sterile flowers of plants of the male parent        selection are double types.    -   5. Inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea are longer        lasting than inflorescences of plants of the male parent        selection.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangeamacrophylla ‘H213901’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,221. Plantsof the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘H213901’ in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more compact than and not as        vigorous as plants of ‘H213901’.    -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea are more freely branching than        plants of ‘H213901’.    -   3. Inflorescences of plants of the new Hydrangea are larger and        flatter than inflorescences of plants of ‘H213901’.    -   4. Sepals of sterile flowers of the new Hydrangea are not as        undulate as sepals of sterile flowers of ‘H213901’.    -   5. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘H213901’ differ in sterile        flower color as sterile flowers of plants of the new Hydrangea        are white in color whereas sterile flowers of plants of        ‘H213901’ are dark red purple in color.

Plants of the new Hydrangea can be compared to plants of Hydrangeamacrophylla ‘H213906’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,509. Plantsof the new Hydrangea differ primarily from plants of ‘H213906’ in thefollowing characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Hydrangea have glossier leaves than plants        of ‘H213906’.    -   2. Plants of the new Hydrangea force slower than plants of        ‘H213906’.    -   3. Plants of the new Hydrangea are not as freely flowering as        plants of ‘H213906’.    -   4. Plants of the new Hydrangea and ‘H213906’ differ in sterile        flower color as sterile flowers of plants of the new Hydrangea        are white in color whereas sterile flowers of plants of        ‘H213906’ are dark pink in color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the unique appearance ofthe new Hydrangea plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailedbotanical description which accurately describe the colors of the newHydrangea plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 of 2) comprises a sideperspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘SCHROLL130-12-01a’grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2 of 2) is a close-up view of atypical inflorescence of ‘SCHROLL130-12-01a’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Plants used in the aforementioned photographs and in the followingdescription were grown during the spring in 13-cm containers in aglass-covered greenhouse in Aarslev, Denmark and under culturalpractices typical of commercial Hydrangea production. Plants of the newHydrangea were pinched two times and were one year old when thephotographs and description were taken. During the production of theplants, day temperatures ranged from 15° C. to 25° C. and nighttemperatures ranged from 10° C. to 20° C. and light levels ranged from40 to 50 klux. Plants are typically not “blued”, that is, treated withaluminum sulfate to change the color of the inflorescences. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical description: Hydrangea macrophylla ‘SCHROLL130-12-01a’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea            macrophylla identified as code number 11-00, not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of Hydrangea            macrophylla identified as code number 27-00, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—By softwood cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About ten days at            temperatures about 19° C. to 22° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About two weeks at            temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About four            weeks at temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About five            weeks at temperatures about 18° C. to 20° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; white, close            to N155D, in color.        -   Rooting habit.—Sparse; not freely branching.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Perennial subshrub; upright and            mounded plant habit; broadly inverted triangle; freely            branching habit with about eight to ten lateral branches            developing per plant; moderately strong lateral branches;            vigorous growth habit.        -   Plant height.—About 38 cm.        -   Plant diameter or area of spread.—About 60 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 25 cm to 30 cm. Diameter:            About 4 mm to 6 mm. Internode length: About 7 cm to 9 cm.            Strength: Moderately strong, sturdy. Texture: Smooth,            glabrous. Color, developing and developed: Close to 144A to            144B; at the nodes close to 79A. Color, lenticels: Close to            N199B.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, decussate; simple.        -   Length.—About 8 cm to 10 cm.        -   Width.—About 8 cm to 10 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Cuspidate.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Margin.—Serrate.        -   Texture, upper surface.—Smooth to rugose, glabrous.        -   Texture, lower surface.—Rugose, glabrous.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate, reticulate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 137A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 137C. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to 137A; venation,            close to 145C to 145D. Fully expanded leaves, lower surface:            Close to 137D; venation, close to 145C to 145D.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 3 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm to 5 mm.            Strength: Strong. Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous. Color, upper surface: Close to 144A. Color, lower            surface: Close to 144B.-   Inflorescence & flower description:    -   -   Flower type and habit.—Showy single sterile and            inconspicuous single fertile flowers arranged on terminal            mophead-type panicles; panicles flattened globular in            overall shape; fertile flowers face upright to outwardly and            sterile flowers face mostly upright to outwardly depending            on their position on the inflorescence; medium flowering            habit, plants begin flowering about ten to twelve weeks            after forcing period.        -   Natural flowering season.—Long flowering period, continuous            flowering from the later summer (July/August) until frost in            Northern Europe.        -   Flower longevity, fertile flowers.—Flowers last about three            to five weeks on the plant; fertile flowers persistent.        -   Flower longevity, sterile flowers.—Flowers last about four            months on the plant; sterile flowers persistent.        -   Quantity of flowers.—Freely flowering habit with about 30            fertile flowers and about 150 sterile flowers per panicle.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Panicle height.—About 8 cm.        -   Panicle diameter.—About 18 cm to 20 cm.        -   Flower diameter, fertile flowers.—About 3 mm to 4 mm.        -   Flower depth (height), fertile flowers.—About 2 mm to 3 mm.        -   Flower diameter, sterile flowers.—About 4 cm.        -   Flower depth (height), sterile flowers.—About 1 cm.        -   Flower shape, fertile flowers.—Spherical.        -   Flower shape, sterile flowers.—Rounded, flat.        -   Flower buds, fertile flowers.—Length: About 2 mm to 3 mm.            Diameter: About 2 mm to 3 mm. Shape: Spherical. Color: Close            to 155C.        -   Flower buds, sterile flowers.—Length: About 3 mm. Diameter:            About 3 mm. Shape: Spherical. Color: Close to 1C.        -   Petals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four to            five in a single whorl. Length: About 4 mm to 5 mm. Width:            About 2 mm. Shape: Obovate to ovate. Apex: Obtuse. Base:            Rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous. Color: When opening, upper and lower            surfaces: Close to NN155A. Fully opened, upper and lower            surfaces: Close to NN155C; color does not change with            development.        -   Petals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four to            six in a single whorl. Length: About 2.2 mm. Width: About            2.2 mm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Acute, curved upright. Base:            Truncate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous. Color: When opening, upper and lower            surfaces: Close to NN155D. Fully opened, upper and lower            surfaces: Close to NN155D; color does not change with            development.        -   Sepals, fertile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: About            five in a single whorl. Length: About 2 mm to 3 mm. Width:            About 1 mm to 2 mm. Shape: Deltoid. Apex: Acute. Base:            Rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous. Color: When opening, upper and lower            surfaces: Close to 150B. Fully opened, upper and lower            surfaces: Close to 150B; color does not change with            development.        -   Sepals, sterile flowers.—Quantity and arrangement: Four to            six in a single whorl. Length: About 2.5 cm. Width: About            3 cm. Shape: Deltoid to oval. Apex: Retuse. Base: Broadly            cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper surface: Smooth to            slightly rippled, glabrous. Texture, lower surface: Smooth,            glabrous. Color: When opening, upper and lower surfaces:            Initially, pale yellow green, close to 154C; subsequently,            close to 1D. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 155C;            color becoming closer to 145C with development. Fully            opened, lower surface: Close to 155D; color becoming closer            to 145D with development.        -   Pedicels, fertile flowers.—Length: About 1 cm to 1.5 cm.            Diameter: About 1 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect: Mostly            upright. Texture: Smooth, glabrous. Color: Close to NN155D.        -   Pedicels, sterile flowers.—Length: About 3.5 cm. Diameter:            About 1.5 mm. Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: Less than            90° from vertical. Texture: Pubescent. Color: Close to 155D.        -   Reproductive organs, fertile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per            flower: About eight. Filament length: About 1 mm to 2 mm.            Filament color: Close to NN155D. Anther length: About 1 mm.            Anther shape: Ovate. Anther color: Close to 155D. Pollen            amount: Abundant. Pollen color: Close to NN155D. Pistils:            Pistil quantity per flower: About three. Pistil length: Less            than 1 mm. Stigma shape: Oblong. Stigma color: Close to            NN155D. Style length: Less than 1 mm. Style color: Close to            NN155D. Ovary color: Close to NN155D.        -   Reproductive organs, sterile flowers.—Stamens: Quantity per            flower: About six to eight. Filament length: About 3 mm to            5 mm. Filament color: Close to 155D. Anther length: About 1            mm to 2 mm. Anther shape: Ovate. Anther color: Close to            155D. Pollen amount: Scarce. Pollen color: Close to 155D.            Pistils: Pistil quantity per flower: About three. Pistil            length: About 1 mm to 2 mm. Stigma shape: Oblong. Stigma            color: Close to 155D. Style length: Less than 1 mm Style            color: Close to 155D. Ovary color: Close to 155D.        -   Seeds.—To date, seed development has not been observed on            plants of the new Hydrangea.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Hydrangea    have not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common    to Hydrangea plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Hydrangea have been shown    to be tolerant to temperatures ranging from about 1° C. to 38° C.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea plant named‘SCHROLL130-12-01a’ as illustrated and described.